Other participants in each volume, such as Spyros Giasafakis (Daemonia Nymphe), are named in Credits.

I am going to stand against him now, though his hands are like flame,

though his hands are like flame, and his heart like the shining of iron.

The Iliad of Homer, Book XX, 371, translated by Lattimore

Love Sessions Volume 1

A musical meeting made of love and ancestral roots, between musicians from France, Australia, Italy, Greece.

The circle was done and the fire arrived… Outside: the river, the castle… Clisson, France… This music is the result of our common quest, it is the sound of our hearts…

Frederic Chaplain

Love Sessions Volume 2

On the high hills he blew those two notes once more; and all that had their sole dwelling in moonlight and river-mist, or in the deep romance that overflows from old tales… came out… and followed him over the fields and valleys

Lord Dunsany: The Charwoman’s Shadow

Tracks & Lyrics

Love Sessions Volume 1

#1. Dante O’ Dore

Music / Lyrics: Louisa John-Krol

Silver Dante O’ Dore

Silver flying over Water

Virgil of Limbo

Golden Carrier of ancient Fire

Silver Dante O’Dore

Elderardo of Oceans

Golden Desert and Ocean

Elderardo of olden Lore

Elderardo of Gold Interior

Gold Interior of Eyes in Fire

#8. Over the Border

Music / Lyrics: Louisa John-Krol

When they come you would not tell the madman from the brave

When they go you would not know the dead man from the sane

When they fight you would not find a reason for the way

Over the Border

When they come

When they fight

When they play

When they die

#10. Escalder’s Spellbinding

Music / Lyrics: Louisa John-Krol

A prelude to Elderbrook, due 2013

I am the Faerie no-one sees,

I am the Witch for cursing,

I am the Story nobody reads,

For nobody knows the words!

See her dancing in the Fountain-song,

See the Lady in Green

She will lead you to a distant land

And shadow you in your dreams:

Oh willow on the water

Could not be greener than me!

I shall be Queen of Alderbee

And powerful as the sea.

I’ve a Harpist in my head,

Colder than the moonlight

He will hold me to Eternity

And follow me through the sunlight!

Oh willow on the water…

Well I’ve a tale on a cursing loom

Causing lovers to fall:

There a unicorn will break his heart

For love at Sir Malder’s Castle….

Who’ll dare to stop me, or

Am I beyond your reach?

Don’t stand before a Lady,

You shall walk beside me!

Love Sessions Volume 2

#6. Alexandria (acoustic mix)

Music / Lyrics: Louisa John-Krol

An earlier version was produced by Harry Williamson. This version produced by Fred Chaplain.

One more day away from Alexandria

And night is long to sail –

Rolling in a slow procession moved a place,

A city fair and strange.

Send the felon winds and every gust of wings

Toward Bayona’s Hold

Over tides of dark I’ll ever know your love

An uncrowned whitethorn blown:

“Fame isn’t mortal,

Nor does it lie in rumour, nor in your pride

But in the Laurel you’ll reign afar

And in the Silence of youin your rain, in your garden

In the sun on the rillin Alexandria.”

As one so long prepared

You’ll hear the midnight voices,

Don’t you mourn them now!

Don’t betray your hope, and say goodbye to her –

Your Alexandria.

#7. Emeraude

Music / Lyrics: Louisa John-Krol

Where are the Faerie to carry me home?

Why don’t we flee from the love we have known?

He’s red in clover, he’s not one of our own

But he freed me, by the emerald stone.

Till the air is my road again, far high again lo,

I’ll love the man who lives under the loam,

He’s red in clover, he’s not one of our own,

But he played me (loves me), by the Emerald stone.

Oh, some say you do, some you don’t,

You say you do love me….

Who do I believe but my Emerald

The green incarnate who

Gleams in my scarlet dream.

#9. The Lily and the Rose (new Clisson version)

Music / Lyrics : Louisa John-Krol

An earlier version was produced by Harry Williamson. This version produced by Fred Chaplain.

The maidens came when I was in

My mother’s bower, I had all that I would

The bailey beareth the bell away

The lily, the rose, the rose I lay!

The silver is white, red is the gold

The robes they lay in fold

And through the glass windows shines the sun

How should I love, and I so young?

#12. Sea Nights of Napoli

Music / Lyrics: Francesco Banchini / Louisa John-Krol

Produced by Frederic Chaplain

Sweet cobbled roads of your old Cicciano,

Sea siren nights of Napoli…

From cracks in the stone, ash whispers of Roman Dreams

In your sea nights of Napoli.

Thousands of hearts made your old Cicciano

Thousands of lovers have walked these lanes,

Carving desire in deep silver shadows

In your sea nights of Napoli!

Dark dreaming eyes will promise tomorrow,

Mountains and streams took yesterday:

Lovers on stairs could lead you both ways

All of them take you to the sea.

Inspirations

I am a lover, skilled in the arts of madness;

I have drunk deeply of culture and learning

Rumi

Ogni attimo vi porta nuove fronde

e il suo sbigottimento avanza ogni altra

gioia fugace; viene a impetuose onde

la vita a questo estremo angolo d’orto.

Lo sguardo ora vi cade su le zolle;

una risacca di memorie giunge

al vostro cuore e quasi lo sommerge.

Eugenio Montale, from Crisalide

English translation of the above lines:

Each instant fetches you fresh leaves

and each new tremor of joy is overwhelmed

by your surprise: life in surging waves

whelms this farthest garden corner.

Now your gaze falls to the ground;

your heart, lapped by memories

washing back, almost drowns.

Eugenio Montale, from Chrysalis

We’ve crossed… cultures, joining together our hearts and feelings to give you this little jewel, hopeful that it will touch your heart

Francesco Banchini

Blending our cultures through music is a gift given to us. To enjoy our differences we must try to keep our civilizations alive.

Credits to Louisa’s 4 contributions to Love Sessions Volume 2

#6. Alexandria

New arrangement with Francesco / Frederic (earlier version was on Louisa’s CD Alexandria)

Voice, Guitar: Louisa

Second voice, Clarinet solo: Francesco

#7. Emeraude

Music: Louisa 1985, completed in Clisson 2003

Voice, Guitar, Chimes: Louisa

Udu: Francesco

Effects: Frederic

#9. The Lily and the Rose

Music: Louisa John-Krol — Lyric: anon, 16th century

New arrangement with Francesco / Frederic / Mandra (earlier version was on Louisa’s CD Alabaster)

Voice, Mandolin: Louisa John-Krol

Clarinet: Francesco

Harp: Mandra

#12. Sea Nights of Napoli

Music: Francesco

Lyric / Voice: Louisa

Clarinets, Guitar, Percussion, Second Voice: Francesco

Third Vox, Claps, other Effects: Frederic

Reviews

“Louisa’s voice is wonderful. I don’t know any other singer with such casual control. Her songwriting is literate and lovely. I first came across her on Love Sessions I and Love Sessions II, a sort-of jam session of artists on a French label. Try to get those if you can, as well as Louisa’s solo work.”

“A particular project… remembered me what 4AD created with This Mortal Coil: label’s mate who… record together a bunch of songs, sharing thoughts and emotions… For Love Sessions: Francesco Banchini (Gor & Ataraxia), Spyros Giasafakis (Daemonia Nymphe), Louisa John-Krol, Marléne Etrillard and Frédéric Chaplain (Lys) plus guests… first three of the list (plus Frédéric Chaplain for ‘Sacrum II’ and ‘Les Cloches De Clisson’ with Spyros) wrote the music and played… various instruments such as: violin, percussions, table harp, guitar, flute cymbal, pandourida… recordings took place in medieval city of Clisson on 2001 and 2002 and Fred Chaplain took care of mixing, engineering… songs respect solo works of the people who wrote the songs… balanced situation… emphasized by the voice of Louisa, by Spyros’ Greek ancient sounds enriched by LYS’ samples. Each track has got his own fascination and I appreciated… particularly: ‘Dante O’ Doré’, ‘Etheros’ and ‘Over The Border’. For sure the lovers of fairy and folk sounds will appreciate this CD.”

“Not even in your wildest dreams can you imagine this journey… you will be embraced by millions of sweet melodies and enchanting voices that will lead your mind into places never seen before… A piece of art that speaks straight to your heart. A trip that has no boundaries. You can consider me as a romantic fool, and maybe I am. On other occasions I might be completely seduced by the beauty of this recording.”

“After the first Love Session, with… Daemonia Nymphe, Lys and their European tour 2002, Louisa John-Krol and Francesco Banchini (GOR) recorded in France in Prikosnovenie Studio this second volume… in medieval city of Clisson: 16 tracks directed again by Lys (Frederic Chaplain)… atmosphere is heavenly with… Louisa’s exquisite voices and Francesco Banchini’s mystical instrumentations. Another time the music lambs Mediterranean, Provencal and Celtic lands in remote ages. The French harp of Mandragora added to the melancholic clarinet, mandolin, percussion and drums give… a touch of middle East… another great album from this French label. Like bonus on the cd there are 20 minutes of video includes live concert of the 2002 Love Sessions tour, scenes of the recording of Love Sessions 2, an interview with Louisa and Francesco. The multimedia element… includes full credits and lyrics.”